15th Annual World Pizza Championship

It will take place in Salsomaggiore, Italy, on April 3–5, 2006.

About 20 international teams of the finest pizza makers in the world will descend on the little resort spa town south of Milan.

The U.S. will be sending two teams, one sponsored by Pizza Marketing Quarterly.

The competitors in the finals in Italy have made it through a grueling series of national trials; they'll compete in five categories:

1) Fastest pizza maker

2) Largest dough stretch

3) Freestyle pizza tossing

4) Best traditional pizza

5) Best gourmet pizza

Pizza Marketing Quarterly has organized two tours centered on the Pizza Championship.

One is for the pizza–obsessed, the other for those who want to see some of Italy as well.

On the former tour, guests travel with the team and attend the full roster of competitions.

The cost is $2,500 per person double (including round–trip air fare from New York) for either tour.

Information and sign–up here or call 662-234-5481.

You don't have to go with a group, though: the championship is free and open to the public.

If you're interested check out this link to Salsomaggiore's tourism website.

[via Andrea Sachs and the Washington Post]